TOPIC:

Sorry Lou I did mean gauges etc as accessory. I think I also misunderstood ignition switch - you're talking about the key switch, not the starter button, right??

So if it was faulty at the key switch I can see everything going dead - but why would the starter button provoke it?

Battery.
Steve

When there is a very bad connection, that rubs, it might be ok, but when an extra load pulls current, the bad connection may overheat and burn just enough that there is no longer contact. Cycling the switch cleans the contacts, or vibration makes the broken wire scratch a clean spot, and it works again.

Here, the extra load is the starter solenoid.

It does sound like a bad cell in the battery to me. You REALLY don't want to ride on a bad battery because the battery is the giant filter capacitor that smooths the AC coming from the alternator. Get a bad cell and you can get high voltage pulses on your system that wipe out bulbs and your electricals. Guess how I learned that.... the hard way. Check/clean cable connections but I still suspect it's the battery.

Yes, as I said before, the other things mentioned are on the list, that includes battery. It's free to check the ignition switch contact block and other wires. Since the battery is cranking the motor, a load test won't really show anything. Maybe bang on the battery with something small to make it fail?

Batteries are strange creatures. I've seen the act normal all day but fail for no reason. Changes in temperature can make them fail even though they were fine the day before. Sulfation in the bottom, shorting the plates, then clearing again.
Guys with a kick starter can be hard headed about this until damage occurs to the components involved. Regret is costly and most troubling. Don't ask me how I know.
Steve

It takes 1 second to check a battery, just hook a decent meter across it, push the start button, and read the voltage. Like already said battery is a strange creature, if that is the word. Age doesn't mean much. I bought a new Ford battery for a 1993 Ford van and it failed at 11 miles stranding me in my driveway. I have a 2008 Goldwing, and the battery is good as new at 7yrs, so age, although somewhat relative to failure, not the only factor

When it takes a dump on you for no good reason and the cursing that happens you'd think it was a creature.
I was trying to point out, batteries like adjusting the valves are things that go ignored until damage occurs. They both cost money and some are too cheap to spend the money or time.
Most people think of motorcycles as cheap transportation. Not so. Sure the gas mileage can be cheap but so are the modern cars today. Maintenance is where the money comes in.
Ya gotta pay to ride.
Steve

Battery, had the same thing happen to me with no warning. Try another battery in its place and you will see what happens or not quickly.
David

The damn thing hasn't done it since I posted and I haven't fix anything yet.

GET READY FOR A BATTERyyyyyyyyy,
Steve

Lol. I do have a new battery just haven't gotten it in yet. These things called kids take a lot of time!!